Bait and Switch

by MC Lee

  “Your parents made some… unfortunate decisions,” his guardian said carefully.

  Jack waited, but his guardian didn’t say anything more. He looked expectantly at Jack, who realized he was waiting for a reply.

  “Does that include Leo?” he asked.

  “At this stage, yes,” his guardian said. “Later, when you know more, you can decide for yourself how much you want to share.”

  The few words elicited a chain reaction of emotions. While his guardian was suggesting that Jack would eventually find out more about his parents, his tone implied that he might not like what he discovered. It sent a chill through him, one he was sure his guardian recognized when his face became totally emotionless again. His voice was clipped when he said, “I won’t make it an order. I’ll only say it’s in your best interests. You don’t need your focus split on the upcoming assignment. There’s too much at stake.”

  Although Jack realized his emotions were being manipulated, he grudgingly admitted that his guardian was right. So far he hadn’t told Leo what he’d discovered about his relationship to the man sitting in front of him. He’d barely been able to accept it himself, and he’d been crushed by the knowledge that his only family had so coldly and completely disowned him. He didn’t see himself sharing his humiliation with Leo, especially at a time when Leo’s safety was at stake. Despite the fact they had promised no more lies, Jack found himself nodding, though he couldn’t bring himself to actually say the traitorous words.

  “Good,” his guardian said crisply. “I’ll be following the assignment closely. Sean is waiting.”

  It took a moment for Jack to register that the conversation was over, and it was only when his guardian bent his head and started shuffling through some paperwork that he realized he’d been dismissed.

  He stood and turned his back, walking out without another word. Sean waited for him in the hallway, the knowing look on his face suggesting he was aware of the exchange that had just taken place.

  “I won’t tell Leo,” Jack said. “He needs to focus on the assignment.”

  Sean nodded.

  “But as soon as this case is closed, I’m telling him everything.”

  “That’s a sound decision,” Sean said. “Evan is waiting downstairs. Are you ready?”

  Jack pulled in a deep breath and made a real effort to let his churning thoughts go. “Yes, sir. I’m ready.”

  EVAN WAS already behind the wheel of an SUV when Jack walked into the garage. Sean had lectured him all the way down four flights of stairs, reminding him of the protocols, though they were now as much a part of Jack’s life as eating and sleeping. He was glad when they reached the car and Sean finally stopped talking.

  “Your gear’s already packed,” Evan said. “Jump in.”

  “What are the chances you’ll let me drive?” Jack asked hopefully.

  “Zero,” Evan said with a grin. “Move your ass. We’re behind schedule.”

  “I expect a daily report,” Sean said, for what felt like the hundredth time. “Unless Evan says otherwise, establish a regular time and stick to it.”

  “I heard you,” Jack said, biting back exasperation.

  “It’s for your own safety,” Sean retorted.

  “I know. I’ve done this a million times. You always say the same thing!”

  “And yet you continue to screw up,” Sean said. “So I guess I’m going to keep on saying it until it sticks.”

  “Jack, you’re not going to win this argument. Get in,” Evan instructed.

  Sean opened his mouth, but Jack jumped in first. “You expect my first report tonight. Miss a scheduled session and you’ll be on the doorstep within the hour to kick my ass. Blah, blah, blah.”

  Sean inclined his head, and his hand gripped the buckle of his belt. “I could skip the lecture altogether and go straight to the ass kicking. Perhaps you’d prefer a more tangible reminder of your obligations while in the field?”

  Jack gulped and pasted on his most innocent expression. “You were saying, sir?”

  Sean’s hand dropped back to his side. “I was saying get in the car before Evan decides this mission would run more smoothly without you. I’ll see you back here when the assignment is over.”

  “Look forward to it, sir,” Jack said blithely, ignoring Evan’s snort of laughter.

  Sean pulled him into a hug. “If there’s anything you want to talk about, call me any time, okay?”

  Jack tightened his hold and murmured, “Thanks, Sean.”

  When he climbed into the passenger seat, Evan looked over at him and smiled. “Buckle up, little brother. Time to hit the road.”

  EVAN KEPT up a running stream of chatter for the first hour of the drive, talking about seemingly random things that Jack eventually realized were actually based on their supposed history together. It was his way of testing Jack on their backstory and was a hell of a lot more effective than the rapid-fire questioning that was the Center’s usual way of probing Jack’s knowledge.

  Usually his journey to the location of each of his assignments was a silent, tense ride in the back of a car with blacked out windows, with the senior agents working on their laptops in mute concentration, scarcely sparing a thought for Jack and what he might need.

  It was an added surprise when Evan pulled into the parking lot of a McDonald’s and killed the engine. “I’m starving. Burger okay with you?”

  “Fuck, yeah,” Jack replied.

  Evan arched an eyebrow. “You think your brother would let you get away with that language?”

  Jack shrugged. “Probably not. But I doubt I’d be happy with him telling me what to do.”

  Evan considered that for a moment. “You might be right. But remember I’m as much your parent as your brother right now. As a rule, anything you wouldn’t do in front of them, you probably shouldn’t do in front of me. Make sense?”

  Jack nodded. He started to get out of the car, but Evan stopped him with a hand on his arm. When Jack turned back, Evan was dangling a thin copper wristband from his fingers. Jack’s stomach rolled over. It was a tracking device Sean always made him wear whenever he was in the field. Despite knowing it was for his own protection, Jack detested the thing. Still, he wordlessly tugged up the sleeve of his sweatshirt and held out his arm, barely even wincing when Evan snapped the wristband into place.

  “You’ll need these,” Evan said, handing him an envelope.

  Jack tipped the contents out onto his lap and quickly scanned everything. His wallet contained some cash and a credit card and, thankfully, a driver’s license. There was a photograph of himself with Evan and some photoshopped “parents,” and a cell phone populated with fake names and numbers that linked back to the Center.

  “Everything else is in the trunk,” Evan said, jerking his thumb toward the back of the car. “The apartment has been set up to look as though I’ve lived there for several months, but you’re supposed to be moving in with me today. You’re only meant to be staying until the end of senior year, so you’re just bringing some clothes and books and a few mementos.”

  “My computer?”

  “It’s in back,” Evan said. “We can always pick up anything else you need. Ready? You’re buying.”

  Jack pulled his sleeve over the copper band, trying to bury his loathing. He’d grown up under constant surveillance, which weirdly had never really bothered him. Yet this thin metal band twisted his stomach into knots. He supposed it was because he couldn’t stop thinking of it as an invisible leash tethering him to a master. He hated to acknowledge what that made him.

  Evan hadn’t been kidding, and Jack ended up digging into his wallet to pay for their burgers.

  “I hope you’re a generous brother,” he grumbled as he slid into a booth, balancing a loaded tray.

  “You’ll get a regular allowance,” Evan said. He grabbed a handful of fries before adding casually, “I won’t be checking what you spend your money on.”

  Jack’s head jerked up. “You won’t?”


  “I trust you to use your allowance wisely.” He nodded toward Jack’s phone. “I won’t need to see that either.”

  Jack was momentarily shocked into silence. On every assignment he had worked since turning thirteen, his cell phone was checked on a daily basis, and he had to account for any money he spent, right down to the last cent.

  “Does Sean know?” he said dubiously.

  Evan’s eyebrows lifted. “What do you think?”

  Jack considered for a moment, before deciding it was a certainty Sean knew everything about this assignment, from the most trivial details of their false identities to the contents of the suitcases that had been packed on Jack’s behalf. There was no way anything was going down, especially outside normal field procedure, without his sanction.

  “Dumb question,” Jack admitted.

  “Sean thinks you’re responsible enough,” Evan said. “Prove him right.”

  They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes until Jack’s curiosity got the better of him.

  “How long have you worked at the Center?” he asked.

  “Five years,” Evan replied.

  “Have you always worked with Sean?”

  Evan shook his head. “I’ve had other postings.”

  “Other places like the Center?”

  The question was met with silence, telling Jack he’d pushed his luck. Evan didn’t shut him down brutally, but it was clear where he stood. “We need to relate only as brothers. These questions have no place in our narrative. You understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” Jack replied quietly. Evan didn’t correct him, and Jack understood that he’d just run up against the Center’s operative warning him he’d overstepped.

  “You about finished?” Evan said.

  “Let’s get this show on the road,” Jack said. “How about—”

  “Not happening,” Evan cut in, easily reading Jack’s intent. “My car, my rules.”

  “You’re a shit brother,” Jack murmured, ducking the halfhearted swipe Evan aimed at his head.

  “If you’re a good boy, I might let you borrow it after school sometime,” Evan said.

  Jack patted him on the back. “Now you’re speaking my language!”

  Chapter Nine

  THE APARTMENT was on the fourth floor of a midrise building and was comfortable and well stocked with all the toys a well-paid, tech-savvy young man would expect. Jack helped Evan drag two suitcases out of the car after they pulled into the underground garage, and he deposited them into the smaller of the two bedrooms and began to unpack.

  As soon as he set up his computer, he skyped through to Leo. He had cleared the contact with Evan on the drive over, Evan’s only stipulation being that he and Martin be part of the initial communication so they could compare notes. Leo broke into a broad grin when they connected, and Jack returned an answering smile.

  “Shit, I was worried about you,” he said.

  “Yeah. Sorry you had to go through that. Martin overreacted.”

  “I did not overreact,” Martin said. He leaned down to look at Jack. “Good to see you, son. Evan’s with you?”

  “Here,” Evan said. He pulled up a chair and sat behind Jack, waving a hand at Martin and Leo. “Why don’t you bring us up to speed?”

  “More of the same,” Leo said. “Somebody is definitely following me.”

  “A professional?” Evan asked.

  “Professional enough,” Leo said. “They’re well trained and thorough. But I’m better trained. I’ve spotted them every time.”

  “Are you any closer to knowing who they are or why they’re following you?” Jack asked.

  Leo shook his head. “Martin thought I should wait until backup arrived.”

  “I didn’t want him blundering in by himself,” Martin said firmly.

  Leo turned his head. “Thanks for the vote of confidence! I wouldn’t have ‘blundered,’ as you so tactfully put it—”

  “But you would have gone charging in without support—”

  “That’s not exactly how I’d characterize my work—”

  “Well, we’re here now,” Evan said, interrupting what sounded like a well-worn, ongoing dispute.

  “Jack, you should start school tomorrow,” Martin said. “Be friendly, but don’t go out of your way to hook up with Leo or the target. Not until Leo determines how you’ll fit into the narrative.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jack replied.

  “Okay. I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Martin said. “I expect I’ll see you soon.”

  He disappeared from sight, and Jack was glad when Evan stood up and patted his back briefly.

  “Dinner in half an hour,” he said before walking out of Jack’s bedroom and closing the door. Jack turned back to smile at Leo.

  “It’s great to see you,” he said. “What are the chances you can come over tonight?”

  Leo shook his head. “Not happening. It’s pretty likely my stalker is lurking about somewhere.”

  “You could shake him,” Jack said hopefully.

  “Yep,” Leo agreed. “But how would that look? I’m supposed to be a regular schoolkid. It would give away too much if I were suddenly able to shake a professional tail. Sorry, we have to hang back until I figure out how we should relate to each other.”

  Jack shrugged, trying to hide his disappointment. “What’s the target like?” he asked instead.

  “Freya? She’s really cool. I think you’re going to like her.”

  “So what’s the plan?”

  “I’m still working out the details,” Leo replied. “It’s a pretty small school, so we’ll end up in most classes together. Play it just like Martin said, friendly and loose. I’ll make sure the right things happen.”

  Jack would have liked to know how close Leo and Freya had become over the past weeks, but he didn’t want to torture himself. Leo’s next words stole that option away.

  “Don’t freak when you see me and Freya together. It’s just part of the job.”

  “You’re together?” Jack said. His throat had suddenly dried, and the words were barely audible.

  “We’re friends. Nothing more.”

  “But you might need to push it further,” Jack said, trying not to sound accusatory.

  “I haven’t figured that out yet. Just… don’t read anything into what you see. You know it isn’t real.”

  “I understand,” Jack said.

  “Okay. I gotta go,” Leo said, glancing at his watch. Jack was certain he had plans, most likely with Freya, but he didn’t ask. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Leo’s voice softened when he added, “Can’t wait.”

  It was with a real sense of relief that Jack replied, “Me too.”

  He was still staring at his blank computer screen when Evan knocked on the door five minutes later and called him out to dinner. The table was already set, and Jack slid into a chair and nodded his thanks when Evan put a bowl of chili in front of him.

  “The Center kitchen sent along a care package,” Evan said. “I’ve put a few things into the freezer so we won’t starve.”

  “I’ll figure it out,” Jack said absently.

  “Things okay between you and Leo?”

  Jack ducked his head to hide from Evan’s perceptive gaze. “Fine,” he mumbled.

  “You know, Leo has gotten very good at separating the job and his life,” Evan said. “You don’t have to worry that he’ll confuse the two.”

  Leo had already told Jack some of his story, sharing details about past assignments even though it was forbidden by the Center. Jack knew Leo had fought hard to get to the place where everything he did for the mission, including any emotional entanglements, was strictly controlled. But he saw a chance to get more information, so he remained silent, hoping Evan would take the bait.

  “Leo had a couple of rocky moments when he was younger,” Evan said. “But he worked through them and came out stronger and smarter.”

  “He had problems?” Jack raised his head to look Evan in the eyes. />
  “Everybody does,” Evan said. “It isn’t an easy thing to work the way we do and keep the emotional side under control. It comes with time. And practice.”

  “Was it the same for you?” Jack asked.

  Evan’s eyes slid away from Jack’s face for a moment. When they returned, Jack thought he saw something shadowing Evan’s expression. “There were challenges. I did things I wasn’t proud of. Hurt some people in the process….” He shrugged, though he didn’t need to finish the sentence for Jack to read his intent.

  “Do you have any family?” Jack asked.

  Evan’s mouth quirked at the corner. “They’re the ones who helped me get my act together when things went sideways.”

  It confirmed what Jack had guessed at. Both Sean and Evan disappeared from the Center at various times during the year. It didn’t take much imagination to guess they were visiting family and friends. The only time they were both gone together was at the end of December when Jack was left more or less by himself for a week. It wasn’t until he began working assignments outside the Center that he learned they were off celebrating Christmas. While they were no doubt enjoying all the things that marked the Christmas season—things he’d read about with quiet envy—he was alone in his quarters, working through the assignments they’d left.

  Once a day through the long, lonely week, he dragged himself reluctantly to the dining room and sat opposite his guardian, making stilted conversation for an hour over dinner. Apart from that, the only people he saw were the Center’s impassive staff, who whisked the rest of his meals in and out of his rooms, never making eye contact or speaking a single word. Jack had come to dread the week, and it was with genuine thankfulness that he greeted Evan and Sean when they returned each year.

  “Do you get to see much of your family?” he asked.

  He had hoped Evan would share more with him, but a moment later, a frown furrowed his brow.

  “We need to go over your notes again. I’m not letting you start school until I’m sure you’ve learned all the details of your backstory.” He pointed to Jack’s plate. “Finish up. We have a lot of work ahead of us. And Sean expects you to report in later.”